Fourth edition of Gowl ghall-Istrina launched

The fourth edition of Gowl ghall-Istrina, which raises funds for the Malta Community Chest Fund, will be held on Wednesday 26th December at the Centenary Stadium, Ta’ Qali. This year’s edition was launched on Monday during a press conference at the Centenary Hall, Ta’ Qali.

The brain-child of George and Christian Micallef from Net TV’s Replay has now developed into an event on a larger scale as it brings together Replay and One TV’s l-Argument together with the Malta Football Association and the Office of the President of the Republic.

Photo: Copyright © Joe Borg / MFA

This year’s event takes the form a quadrangular tournament between four teams: one representing Maltese players and another representing foreign players from the BOV Premier League, a team made up of players from the BOV First Division and another team made up of players from the BOV Second Division and the BOV Third Division.

MFA Chief Executive Officer Bjorn Vassallo said it was of great satisfaction for the association to be at the forefront of such events. He said that with their participation, players and clubs would be showing solidarity with those in need.

Vassallo concluded by hoping that a substantial amount of money will be collected from this year’s event just like last year.

Speaking on behalf of the Office of the President of the Republic, Major Mark Mallia said the Malta Football Association always supported the Community Chest Fund. He said he was glad that Replay and L-Argument joined forces once again in the organisation of this event in aid of l-Istrina – a campaign which unites the Maltese. Funds from the Community Chest Fund go to NGOs and several individual cases of people in need who approach the organisation.

The Chairman of One Productions Jason Micallef said this event was being organised for a noble cause but it also arrives at the right time for one to forget about politics. Micallef said that One will be promoting the event in the best possible way as its success would only be achieved depending on the funds collected.

Media.Link Media Manager Louiselle Vassallo said she was glad the two stations and the two programmes were working together on this event. She encouraged people to attend in order to make this event a success.

Matthew Paris from Replay also stressed on the need to promote this event in order to raise as much funds as possible for l-Istrina. He said that for this year’s event, all divisions from the Premier League to Division 3 are involved. Paris thanked the sponsors, namely Errea, 240 Limited, Twighlight Limited, Big Exhibits, One TV and Net TV.

Antvin Monsigneur explained that the whole event starts on Sunday 23rd December with an auction of autographed Premier League and First Division team kits, starting during the programme Folji on One TV.

The programme on Wednesday starts at 16:00 with an introduction by Pamela Schembri and Joanne Camilleri, followed by the first game at 16:15.

16:15 Maltese Premier League players vs Second and Third Division players
16:55 Foreigners Premier League players vs First Division players
17:35 winners of two semi-finals
18:15 losers of two semi-finals

The President of the Republic Dr George Abela is expected to attend.